PHARMACEUTICAL PROPERTIES OF VENOM TOXINS AND THEIR POTENTIAL IN DRUG DISCOVERY
Abstract: Traditional
pipelines feeding drugs coming to the market are declining. This is one of the
reasons why nowadays the previously abandoned natural extract drug discovery
programs are slowly coming back. In this scenario, small molecular metabolites
from plants and single cell marine or soil organisms are gaining interest in
pharmaceutical research again. Animal venoms are another source for finding new
biopharmaceutical lead molecules and research interest in discovering bioactive
molecules from venoms is rising. Venoms comprise often highly selective and
potent bioactive peptides and small proteins for receptors and enzymes that are
valid drug targets. This work discusses drug discovery research on bioactive
compounds in venoms and gives older and more recent examples of bioactive
compounds found in venoms from different animals. Common pharmaceutical targets
that different classes of venom toxins interact with and information on
developmental stages of several medicinal venom peptides are also discussed.
Author: Jeroen Kool
Journal Code: jpfarmasigg160019
